Penang: The Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 2,946 summons notices for offences and impounded 26 commercial vehicles during a special statewide operation on commercial vehicles carried out throughout September. Its director, Zulkifly Ismail, stated that these operations, conducted from September 1 to 30, involved the inspection of 19,191 commercial vehicles, resulting in action against 1,616 vehicles for various offences.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, some of the most common offences recorded included driving without a Vocational Licence (GDL/PSV), which resulted in 398 summonses. Other violations included carrying loads exceeding the permitted limit with 277 summonses, driving with expired or no driving licence with 232 summonses, expired motor vehicle licence with 227 summonses, and lacking insurance coverage with 85 summonses.
Zulkifly highlighted the detection of three commercial vehicles driven by foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan. These vehicles were seized, and summonses were issued as foreigners are not permitted to work as commercial vehicle drivers. Inspections revealed that these foreign men, all in their 20s, possessed valid travel documents and work permits for other sectors but chose to work as commercial vehicle drivers because such jobs are easier to secure.
The director noted that some employers or companies hire foreign nationals as commercial vehicle drivers due to lower wages compared to local workers. The operations are set to continue until December 31 to ensure compliance with the Road Transport Act 1987, the Land Public Transport Act 2010, and other relevant laws.
Zulkifly also reported that from October 1 until recently, the department inspected 165 commercial vehicles as part of phased enforcement of Speed Limitation Devices (SLDs) for commercial vehicles, including tour and express buses. Of these, 31 vehicles had valid SLD inspection slips, while 91 vehicles received Notice 114 under the Road Transport Act 1987 for further action.
He mentioned that compliance levels have been encouraging and urged all commercial vehicle operators to adhere to the installation requirements aimed at reducing the risk of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles. The SLD is a control system designed to restrict a vehicle’s maximum speed.